영국·한국의 추락한 교권 Declining Teaching Authority in UK and South Korea

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영국·한국의 추락한 교권

Declining Teaching Authority in UK and South Korea

팀 알퍼 칼럼니스트 입력 2026.05.14. 23:38 조선일보

영국에서 스승의 날에 교사에게 온라인으로 감사 카드를 보낼 수 있는 사이트 /팀 알퍼 칼럼니스트

한국의 ‘스승의 날’은 영국의 그날보다 50년 앞선 역사를 가지고 있다. 그러나 양국의 교사들이 맞닥뜨린 현실은 매우 험난하다. 영국 학교·대학 지도자협회 조사에 따르면, 지난해 학교장 60%가 학부모로부터 언어폭력이나 협박을 경험했다. 그중 75%는 정신 건강 악화를 호소했다.

Korea’s ‘Teachers’ Day’ predates the UK’s by 50 years. However, the reality faced by teachers in both countries remains extremely challenging. According to a survey by the UK School and College Leaders’ Association, 60% of school principals last year experienced verbal abuse or threats from parents. Of those, 75% reported deteriorating mental health.

한국교원단체총연합회도 몇 달 전 교사 과반(59%)이 학생에게 폭력을 당하거나 동료 교사가 폭력을 당하는 것을 목격했다고 발표했다. 이는 나와 같은 중년층 이상에게는 꽤나 충격적이다.

The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations also announced a few months ago that a majority (59%) of teachers had either been subjected to violence by students or witnessed a colleague being subjected to violence. This comes as quite a shock to those of middle age or older like myself.

과거에 교사는 한국과 영국 모두에서 높은 사회적 존경과 권위를 누렸지만 이제 교권이 크게 약화됐다. 무엇이 이런 몰락을 초래했을까?

In the past, teachers in both Korea and the UK enjoyed high social respect and authority, but now their teaching authority has significantly weakened. What has led to this downfall?

그 답은 ‘세속화’에서 찾을 수 있다. 영국 최초의 학교는 선교사들이 영국 땅을 밟은 직후인 8세기 후반에 생겨났다. 이 교회 학교에서는 문자·종교·음악을 가르쳤는데, 당시 학교의 목적은 문맹 퇴치가 아니었다. 성경을 읽을 수 있는 사제와 라틴어 성가를 부를 수 있는 성가대를 양성하는 데 목적이 있었다.

The answer can be found in ‘secularization.’ The first schools in the UK emerged in the late 8th century, shortly after missionaries set foot on British soil. These church schools taught literacy, religion, and music, but the purpose of schools at the time was not to eradicate illiteracy. The goal was to train priests who could read the Bible and choirs that could sing Latin hymns.

내가 다니던 학교 교장은 영국 성공회에서 서품을 받은 성직자였고 학생들은 성경 구절을 암송하고 매일 아침 조회 때 찬송가를 불러야만 했다. 이렇게 성직자이거나 성직자에 가까운 존재인 교사를 모욕한다는 것은 예배 도중 목사에게 혀를 내미는 것처럼 불경스러운 일이었다. 유교 사회 조선에서도 스승은 마땅히 섬겨야 하는 권위를 지닌 존재였다.

The principal of the school I attended was a clergyman ordained by the Church of England, and students were required to recite Bible verses and sing hymns every morning during assembly. Insulting a teacher, who was either a clergyman or close to one, was as sacrilegious as sticking one’s tongue out at a pastor during a worship service. In the Confucian society of Joseon, teachers were figures of authority who deserved to be respected.

그러나 현대화를 겪으며 현실은 크게 달라졌다. 영국 성공회는 쇠락의 길을 걷고 있다. 성인 중 5%만이 예배에 참석하며 상당수 교회는 예배를 중단한 상태다. 젊은 세대 학부모와 학생들에게 ‘교사=성스러움’이라는 연결 고리는 무색해진 지 오래다. 한국의 젊은이들은 스승의 그림자도 밟지 못하던 시절을 사극을 통해서나 경험한다.

However, reality has changed significantly with modernization. The Church of England is in decline. Only 5% of adults attend services, and many churches have ceased holding worship services. For young generations of parents and students, the association of ‘teacher = sanctity’ has long since faded. Young people in Korea only experience the era when one could not even step on a teacher’s shadow through historical dramas.

이처럼 양국에서 교사라는 직업은 특별한 소명이 아닌 수많은 직업 중 하나가 돼버렸다. 우리가 스승에게 가졌던 존경심이 흔적도 없이 사라지게 된 것은 그리 놀라운 일이 아니다.

In this way, the profession of teaching in both countries has become just one of many professions, not a special calling. ​It is not surprising that the respect we once had for teachers has completely disappeared.

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Declining Teaching Authority in UK and South Korea

By Tim Alper Columnist Published 2026.05.14. 23:38 The Chosun Daily Newspaper /조선일보
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In the UK, a site for sending thank-you cards to teachers online on Teachers' Day. /Courtesy of Tim Alper
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Korea’s ‘Teachers’ Day’ predates the UK’s by 50 years. However, the reality faced by teachers in both countries remains extremely challenging. According to a survey by the UK School and College Leaders’ Association, 60% of school principals last year experienced verbal abuse or threats from parents. Of those, 75% reported deteriorating mental health.
​
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Associations also announced a few months ago that a majority (59%) of teachers had either been subjected to violence by students or witnessed a colleague being subjected to violence. This comes as quite a shock to those of middle age or older like myself. In the past, teachers in both Korea and the UK enjoyed high social respect and authority, but now their teaching authority has significantly weakened. What has led to this downfall?
​
The answer can be found in ‘secularization.’ The first schools in the UK emerged in the late 8th century, shortly after missionaries set foot on British soil. These church schools taught literacy, religion, and music, but the purpose of schools at the time was not to eradicate illiteracy. The goal was to train priests who could read the Bible and choirs that could sing Latin hymns.
​
The principal of the school I attended was a clergyman ordained by the Church of England, and students were required to recite Bible verses and sing hymns every morning during assembly. Insulting a teacher, who was either a clergyman or close to one, was as sacrilegious as sticking one’s tongue out at a pastor during a worship service. In the Confucian society of Joseon, teachers were figures of authority who deserved to be respected.
However, reality has changed significantly with modernization. The Church of England is in decline. Only 5% of adults attend services, and many churches have ceased holding worship services. For young generations of parents and students, the association of ‘teacher = sanctity’ has long since faded. Young people in Korea only experience the era when one could not even step on a teacher’s shadow through historical dramas.
​
In this way, the profession of teaching in both countries has become just one of many professions, not a special calling. It is not surprising that the respect we once had for teachers has completely disappeared.
​
Why Nobody Respects Teachers Anymore
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· This article has been translated by Upstage Solar AI.

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